BOSTON, MA

Ann Eppard, one-time chief of staff for U.S. Republican Bud Shuster, was fined $5000 by U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro after admitting to the misdemeanor of receiving improper compensation to intercede on behalf of companies being threatened by the Big Dig, an $11.6 billion federal highway project.

Eppard pleaded guilty to taking an interest-free loan of $30,000 and various other expenses from lobbyist Vernon Clark. Eppard also pleaded guilty to receiving three $5000 payments from Clark through a close relative acting as a conduit.